Y2K show that made "Ancient Aliens" look like PBS's "Frontline"
April 7, 2014 9:12 AM Subscribe
In the lead-up to Y2K, there were many "we're all screwed" documentary-style programs on basic cable in the US. There was one in particular that was so out of whack with reality that its predictions were more like a fever dream than anything else. One scene involved kitchen appliances rising up and attacking a woman. I'm trying to figure out what show that was.
IIRC, this show was on a Discovery Channel/History Channel-like network, and the show was made in a similar format to the programming on those channels. It was so irrationally and absurdly fear-mongering it makes the "Ancient Aliens" show look like PBS's "Frontline."
The only scene I remember was a small bit that was shot similar to the black and white "despair vision" clips you see on infomercials. In this scene, the aforementioned woman being attacked by blender, a toaster, and a vibrating refrigerator that had become animate and decided to destroy all humans, all while being calmly narrated as something that might actually happen.
This all sounds like a comedy parody, but it wasn't. The show started reasonably concerned, but soon progressed into paranoid, then went off the rails into completely irrational territory.
I assume this show was quickly buried after Y2K and never shown again out of embarrassment.
IIRC, this show was on a Discovery Channel/History Channel-like network, and the show was made in a similar format to the programming on those channels. It was so irrationally and absurdly fear-mongering it makes the "Ancient Aliens" show look like PBS's "Frontline."
The only scene I remember was a small bit that was shot similar to the black and white "despair vision" clips you see on infomercials. In this scene, the aforementioned woman being attacked by blender, a toaster, and a vibrating refrigerator that had become animate and decided to destroy all humans, all while being calmly narrated as something that might actually happen.
This all sounds like a comedy parody, but it wasn't. The show started reasonably concerned, but soon progressed into paranoid, then went off the rails into completely irrational territory.
I assume this show was quickly buried after Y2K and never shown again out of embarrassment.
Best answer: I know exactly what you're talking about. I am reasonably sure that it was a show or segment not about Y2K, but about the supposed apocalypse surrounding the end of the Mayan Calendar when all of man's tools would rise up against us. I think this got a lot of press immediately after 2000 as a sort of "here's the next big apocalypse to worry about," then everyone seemed to forget about it until closer to Dec 2012.
I don't know quite where these shows got the idea that the end of the Mayan calendar would mean that all our tools would rise against us, but they sure had fun with the idea.
posted by muddgirl at 9:30 AM on April 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
I don't know quite where these shows got the idea that the end of the Mayan calendar would mean that all our tools would rise against us, but they sure had fun with the idea.
posted by muddgirl at 9:30 AM on April 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: is it possible that you're conflating a TV show with the scene in Requiem for a Dream
Interesting call, but no. The scene I am thinking of was definitely shot on video, in a kitchen, narrated, and the color had been desaturated - not entirely black and white, but almost a sepia quality to it.
posted by chambers at 9:31 AM on April 7, 2014
Interesting call, but no. The scene I am thinking of was definitely shot on video, in a kitchen, narrated, and the color had been desaturated - not entirely black and white, but almost a sepia quality to it.
posted by chambers at 9:31 AM on April 7, 2014
Response by poster: I am reasonably sure that it was a show or segment not about Y2K, but about the supposed apocalypse surrounding the end of the Mayan Calendar when all of man's tools would rise up against us.
You may very well be right - this would explain why I have never found it looking for Y2K themed stuff.
I'm glad I didn't just imagine that show actually happening. Now all that is left is to find that Mayan 2012 doom show.
posted by chambers at 9:37 AM on April 7, 2014
You may very well be right - this would explain why I have never found it looking for Y2K themed stuff.
I'm glad I didn't just imagine that show actually happening. Now all that is left is to find that Mayan 2012 doom show.
posted by chambers at 9:37 AM on April 7, 2014
I think I remember this too, and exactly how muddgirl explained it. Unfortunately, I can picture it, but can't remember much about it....I think Nostradamus might have been involved as well. Sorry that's about all I remember.
posted by General Malaise at 9:41 AM on April 7, 2014
posted by General Malaise at 9:41 AM on April 7, 2014
Best answer: Is it this video? Go to 7:30 for the waffle iron attack.
posted by Uncle Jimmy at 10:35 AM on April 7, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by Uncle Jimmy at 10:35 AM on April 7, 2014 [10 favorites]
That's definitely the video I was thinking of! I remember the Christmas tree! Can't believe it was from 1996, not 2000...
posted by muddgirl at 10:38 AM on April 7, 2014
posted by muddgirl at 10:38 AM on April 7, 2014
Response by poster: Is it this video? Go to 7:30 for the waffle iron attack.
Wow. This has to be it. Thanks!
It's funny that I thought I remembered this show starting out "reasonably concerned." Memory is a weird thing.
posted by chambers at 10:44 AM on April 7, 2014
Wow. This has to be it. Thanks!
It's funny that I thought I remembered this show starting out "reasonably concerned." Memory is a weird thing.
posted by chambers at 10:44 AM on April 7, 2014
Holy crap that really is exactly what I remembered! I'm actually glad you asked that, because from time to time I have wondered what that was.
Also: LOL @ the waffle iron
posted by General Malaise at 12:24 PM on April 7, 2014
Also: LOL @ the waffle iron
posted by General Malaise at 12:24 PM on April 7, 2014
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posted by Johnny Assay at 9:24 AM on April 7, 2014